# Guys

/ˈɡaɪz/ (US) · /ɡˈaɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guys
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. addressing a group

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

a word you use to talk to a group of people, including men, women, or both.

For teachers: a collective vocative used to address a group of people regardless of gender.

- Hey guys, are you ready to go to the cinema yet?
- The manager walked into the breakroom and asked, 'Are you guys finished with the inventory reports?'

Usage: In modern spoken English, this is frequently used as a gender-neutral term of address.

Teaching tip: While common in casual speech, some speakers prefer more inclusive terms like 'everyone' or 'folks' in professional settings.

### 2. a group of men

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

a group of men or boys.

For teachers: a plural noun referring specifically to a group of male individuals.

- A few guys from the office are going for a run after work.
- The coach noticed several guys from the local rugby club training on the adjacent field during the rainstorm.

## Examples

- What do you guys want for dinner?
- The waiter asked the group if you guys were ready to order your drinks yet.
- While some style guides suggest more formal alternatives, most modern speakers use guys to address a mixed-gender audience in casual professional settings without causing any offense.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.